Jun 2008
Test Batch Update ["Best-Laid Plans" Edition]
Sunday 29 June 2008 Filed in: Test Batches
| Old Walt
Smoked Wit Beer | 6ixth Sense
Ale |
Suckerpunch
Was all set today to
brew a test batch of the 6ixth Sense Ale
(Belgian-style golden ale,
formerly known as "Suckerpunch Belgian-Style Strong
Golden Ale"), when I discovered that a crucial
burner is malfunctioning. While the burners under the
brew and mash kettles are operating fine, the burner
under the kettle that is used to prepare the water
for mashing and sparging is acting oddly. Oddly
enough to cause safety concerns, and not just reduce
efficiency or effectiveness.
My amateurish plumbing attempts were to no avail, so I'll be calling in the services of a licensed plumber who knows what he (or she) is doing. However, no test batch today. :(
No brewing didn't mean I didn't get to have some fun, I did the next best thing -- another round of cleaning and sanitation, just to keep things flowing along in the ol' SABCO.
Meanwhile...The yeast in the test batch of the Old Walt Smoked Wit brewed two weeks ago are still happily working away. Am looking forward to keg and bottling it up soon.
My amateurish plumbing attempts were to no avail, so I'll be calling in the services of a licensed plumber who knows what he (or she) is doing. However, no test batch today. :(
No brewing didn't mean I didn't get to have some fun, I did the next best thing -- another round of cleaning and sanitation, just to keep things flowing along in the ol' SABCO.
Meanwhile...The yeast in the test batch of the Old Walt Smoked Wit brewed two weeks ago are still happily working away. Am looking forward to keg and bottling it up soon.
|
On Target (Test Batch B)
Tuesday 17 June 2008 Filed in: Test Batches
| Harborfields
Hefeweizen
Father's Day Test Batch
Sunday 15 June 2008 Filed in: Test Batches
| Old Walt
Smoked Wit Beer
Brewed a test batch of
the Old Walt Smoked Wit Beer, came in on target with
an Original Gravity of 1.052. I smoked some of the
wheat for this beer briefly over some
mesquite.
This was a beer my Dad (who passed away three months ago) liked, so it was a different kind of brew day for me today. Raising a glass to Dad! He was otherwise a Coors drinker, but he liked the wheat beers (particularly the Hefeweizen), having developed a taste for them when he got them fresh in Germany many years ago during his Army days.
This was a beer my Dad (who passed away three months ago) liked, so it was a different kind of brew day for me today. Raising a glass to Dad! He was otherwise a Coors drinker, but he liked the wheat beers (particularly the Hefeweizen), having developed a taste for them when he got them fresh in Germany many years ago during his Army days.
Test Batch A [Harborfields HefeWeizen]
Saturday 14 June 2008 Filed in: Test Batches
| Harborfields
Hefeweizen
I was aiming for 4.5%
Alcohol by Volume for the Harborfields HefeWeizen,
but the Original Gravity (OG) of the first test batch
was higher than I was shooting for (1.058, vs. the
target of 1.052).
The Final Gravity (FG) was 1.020, bringing Test Batch A of the Harborfields HefeWeizen at 4.9% Alcohol by Volume. Higher than the target, but not too bad for the first brewing session in almost a year. (Once I filed for the licenses, I was not permitted to brew until the licenses were granted. Welcome to Brewer Hell.)
Kegged up this first batch today -- it's going to be bottled from the keg after it reaches the proper carbonation level.
Test Batch B of the Harborfields HefeWeizen had an OG of 1.053, much closer to the target 1.052. We'll soon see how that one turns out, as it is just a week behind Test Batch A.
The Final Gravity (FG) was 1.020, bringing Test Batch A of the Harborfields HefeWeizen at 4.9% Alcohol by Volume. Higher than the target, but not too bad for the first brewing session in almost a year. (Once I filed for the licenses, I was not permitted to brew until the licenses were granted. Welcome to Brewer Hell.)
Kegged up this first batch today -- it's going to be bottled from the keg after it reaches the proper carbonation level.
Test Batch B of the Harborfields HefeWeizen had an OG of 1.053, much closer to the target 1.052. We'll soon see how that one turns out, as it is just a week behind Test Batch A.
Happy Yeast
Monday 02 June 2008 Filed in: Test Batches
| Harborfields
Hefeweizen
Getting Back on the Hefe Horse...
Sunday 01 June 2008 Filed in: Test Batches
| Harborfields
Hefeweizen
Brewed Beta-Phase Test
Batch B today, another go at the Harborfields
HefeWeizen.
Hit closer to the target Original Gravity this time: While Batch A's OG was 1.058, Batch B's OG is 1.053. Not quite the 1.052 I was shooting for, but getting closer.
6:56 PM
The yeast are happily working away, turning wort into beer. The spent grains are now mixed in with the rest of the compost in the garden.
Clean up of the brewery equipment is done, now to clean up the brewer, and think about "what's for dinner?"
Hit closer to the target Original Gravity this time: While Batch A's OG was 1.058, Batch B's OG is 1.053. Not quite the 1.052 I was shooting for, but getting closer.
6:56 PM
The yeast are happily working away, turning wort into beer. The spent grains are now mixed in with the rest of the compost in the garden.
Clean up of the brewery equipment is done, now to clean up the brewer, and think about "what's for dinner?"